🇮🇹 🇯🇵 Bilateral Working Holiday Visa Agreement between Japan and Italy

Written by Volare | May 24, 2026

The Working Holiday bilateral agreement between Italy and Japan officially entered into force on September 27, 2025, following the publication of Law No. 136 in the Italian Official Gazette on September 26, 2025. This treaty, which formalizes the commitment originally reached in May 2022, represents a milestone for youth mobility, allowing young citizens from both countries—aged between 18 and 30—to reside and work in the partner country for a maximum period of one year with the primary objective of undertaking vacation and cultural exchange activities.

Key details of the program

As detailed in the analysis by EIG Law, this agreement seeks to strengthen bilateral relations and foster mutual understanding. The main conditions for participants are:

• Eligibility: Citizens aged 18 to 30.

• Duration: Visa valid for one year (non-renewable under this scheme).

• Cost: The visa application process is free for applicants.

• Labor rights: Beneficiaries may work during their stay, allowing for dynamic insertion into the local labor market without the need to obtain complex additional work permits.

• Purpose: Work must be a secondary activity to the vacation experience.

This agreement allows young people to gain international work experience and immerse themselves in the host country's culture without being subject to ordinary foreign worker quotas, facilitating more agile and direct access.

Official process and competent authorities

To manage this visa, interested parties must refer to the official channels established by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It is essential to check specific requirements directly with the embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence to ensure your file complies with current legalization standards.

To ensure you have the appropriate support and the most detailed information at every step of your application, we recommend consulting the complete guide on Volare's Italy Working Holiday Visa (WHV).